Pabna, Sept 13 (V7N) - Journalists in Pabna have demanded the removal of the district Detective Branch (DB) officer-in-charge over allegations that a young woman was pressured into making a fabricated video accusing Pabna Press Club General Secretary Zahurul Islam of rape.
The demand was made at a protest meeting held at the Pabna Press Club auditorium on Saturday, as the young woman, identified as Nafisa, held a separate press conference at her residence and claimed that she had been forced to make the allegations.
Nafisa alleged that she had not voluntarily made the statements contained in the video. According to her account, a BNP activist named Suborna Halim allegedly took her to her residence and pressured her to make allegations of rape against Zahurul Islam.
She further claimed that she was subsequently taken to the Pabna DB office, where a man identified as Sohel Rana Biplob recorded the video in the presence of her parents. The video was later circulated on social media.
Nafisa later said that the allegations were false and had been made under pressure. She also withdrew a written complaint previously submitted to the police, according to reports.
The incident has sparked strong reactions among local journalists, who accused a group of people posing as journalists of attempting to target mainstream media workers.
At the protest meeting, journalists alleged that a group had recently formed an organisation with a name similar to that of the Pabna Press Club and had become involved in various illegal activities, including alleged drug dealing, land grabbing, blackmail and extortion.
They claimed that complaints about the alleged activities had previously been submitted to the district law and order committee and various administrative offices. According to the journalists, the latest incident was part of an attempt to retaliate against those who had raised concerns.
The journalists expressed particular concern over the allegation that a young woman was taken to a DB office and recorded there while allegedly under pressure.
They said such an incident, if established, would pose a serious threat to independent journalism and public safety.
The journalists demanded the immediate removal of DB Officer-in-Charge Rashedul Islam and called for legal action against those responsible. They also announced that they would pursue legal measures over the incident.
Speaking about the allegations, DB OC Rashedul Islam said the woman’s family had approached the police seeking assistance because they were allegedly frightened.
“We brought them into our custody to provide legal assistance. At one point, while we were talking, someone may have recorded the video,” he said.
Pabna Superintendent of Police Abu Ashraf said an investigation committee would be formed to examine the allegations.
“We will take action after the committee completes its investigation and submits its report,” he said.
The protest meeting was chaired by Pabna Press Club President Akhtaruzzaman Akhtar and moderated by the club’s literary secretary Pavel Mridha. Several former office-bearers and journalists from local and national media outlets addressed the gathering.
The allegations and counter-allegations remain subject to investigation by the relevant authorities.
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